Biography of Deacon Abraham KromerKent County, MI Biographies

Deacon Abraham Kromer. (The biography herewith presented was prepared under the supervision of Deacon Kromer
two weeks previous to his death.) Abraham Kromer, son of William and Betsey Kromer, was born in Cobleskill, Schoharie
Co., N. Y., May 22, 1804, and died in Cannonsburg, Kent Co., Mich., Sept. 18, 1880, aged 76 years, 3 months and
27 days. On Nov. 18, 1828, at the age of 24 years, he was united in marriage with Miss Caty Lawyer, with whom he
lived in happy wedlock for nearly 40 years, and by whom he was the father of five children, three sons and two
daughters; only one of whom, Mrs. Delia Hardy, still lives to mourn the loss of a kind and loving father. Mrs.
Caty Kromer died Sept. 15, 1868. June 5, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Gertrude C., widow of Harlow P. Judson. She
attended him in his last sickness, and now, a widow for the third time, mourns his loss. In 1829 he went to Holland
patent, Oneida Co., N. Y., where the next year he removed his wife and engaged in mercantile business for about
five years. In the winter of 1835-'36 he went to Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., thence to Geauga Co., Ohio, where he
was a merchant one year, then to Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, where he kept a hotel-the Mansion House- until the
spring of 1840. In that year he moved to Smithville, Jefferson Co., N. Y., where he erected suitable buildings,
fitted up a tannery, and was engaged in that and mercantile business 18 or 19 years. During this period, in 1854,
he was appointed Harbor Master at Sackett's Harbor, under the administration of President Pierce, and held the
office one year. He also filled the office of Postmaster for a considerable time at Smithville during his residence
there. In the year 1858 he purchased the Patrick farm, near this village, and has been an honored and useful citizen
ever since. He was engaged here in mercantile business some time, and was Postmaster for several years. While residing
in Geauga Co., Ohio, he became a Christian. On his return to New York, he made a public profession of religion
and united with the Congregational Church, in Smithville, where he was an acceptable member, and where, for some
time, he held the office of Deacon until his removal to this place. Here he united by letter with the Bostwick
Lake Church, and continued a member there until time organization of this Church, in the spring of 1875. He was
Dcacon in a branch Church here before the present organization. He was chosen Deacon here, and filled the office
with the utmost accept-. ance until disabled by his last sickness.

From:
History of Kent County, Michigan
Chas C. Chapman & Company
Chicago 1881.